He just repaired the wires.

If he is checking the Vats wires coming from the lock (with key inserted) & getting 4.3 but the key resistance is 11.6 then something is still wrong. Don't you want to do the Vats bypass?

Well - after discovering the condition of the wires he was hoping that repairing them would be sufficient, without having to do the bypass. But he just told me that the space was so hard for him to work in with his large hands, that he wants to recheck his connections again, and then retest the wire.

So, how did it turn out? Did you get pictures?

My husband'* mechanic friend came by with his portable diagnostic machine again, and he said that it now reads that it is the VATS (since my husband repaired the wire) and said it now needs reset (or whatever) but he doesn't know how to do it, and we can't afford to take it to the dealer for work right now.

So - my question now, is, if we do the VATS bypass, can we later undo the bypass so we can have the VATS working again? Or - is it permanently disabled once the bypass is done?

What a headache. I want an old car without all this stuff you can't easily fix with regular tools yourself. :(

As long as you cut the wires in a place where you can reconnect them later then you can undo the vats bypass.

Good - thanks.

As per the link to bypass the VATS system ( http://www.12vp.com/info_resistors.htm ) does it matter if the wire and key are that far apart in resistance readings? I mean - we still do the same averaging of those two numbers, whatever they read, is that correct?

Also - (since I haven't been in a math class for a few decades). How do we translate our meter readings, which have a decimal point, to the values on the chart, which use none?

Don't worry about averaging 2 readings. You just need resistors that equal the key resistance. Check the key again & see what scale the meter is on while you're getting the 11.6 reading. If it'* on 1,000x scale the key is 11,600 ohms. If it'* on 100x scale the key is 1,160 ohms. Take the key & meter with you to Radio Shack & they should be able to help you.

The same problem is happening to me in my 2000 SSEi but since it is under warranty i am bringing it to the dealer tomorrow. When they find out what it is I will let you know so you will be able to check that.